Control unit structure switch



April 5, 1966 J. E. KNIGHT, JR

CONTROL UNIT STRUCTURE SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 001',- 7, 1963 a l l INVENTOR KNIGHT J JOHN E.

April 5, 1966 J. E. KNIGHT, JR 3,244,940

CONTROL UNIT STRUCTURE SWITCH Filed Oct. 7, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR JOHN E. KNIGHT, JR.

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United States Patent 3,244,940 CONTROL UNIT STRUCTURE SWITCH John E. Knight, Jr., Hayward, Califi, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Oct. 7, 1963, Ser. No. 314,385 1 Claim. (Cl. 317-4113) This invention relates to electrical distribution systems and to control unit structures for the same. More particularly, the invention relates to a switching auxiliary device for adaptation to a control unit structure similar to that described in copending application Serial Number 142,340, filed October 2, 1961, now Patent No. 3,168,683.

The reference application is concerned with modular distribution devices of modular construction having internal buses and compartmented spaces within each module so that distribution to individual electrical equip ment can be made independently and Without having to shut down operations when maintenance services or changes are required upon single electrical control units in one or more of the compartmented spaces. A feature of the application of reference is the ability to remove a unit for repairs or changes without interrupting service to other associated control units via so called pluggable connections, the design of the control unit providing both pluggable input and pluggable output connecting structures for each unit.

In the present invention a further requirement is fulfilled in providing for switching per se of some of the pluggable output connections either before or after the control unit has been placed into operative relationship with the connecting structures thereby providing a measure of safety and further flexibility of operation.

A feature of the present invention is the provision of gang switching of output connections according to a preselected arrangement while at the same time preserving all of the advantages of the control unit structure of the aforementioned control unit structure of the reference application.

The invention is set forth with particularity in the appended claim. The principles and characteristics of the invention, as well as other objects and advantages are revealed and discussed through the medium of the illustrative embodiments appearing in the specification and drawings which follow.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a control unit and its associated compartment modified according to the present invention, together with its power and control connections.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the structure of FIGURE 1 with the control unit in operating position.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the modifying structure shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 with a cutaway portion illustrating the operation of the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a part of the modification illustrated in FIGURE 3.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2 the control unit and cabinet structure depicted corresponds substantially to similar structures in the reference application noted above. Essentially the cabinet structure consists of the side plates 11a and 11b, a bottom plate or barrier 26, rear plates 29 and 30 between which busways 14 are joined containing the power buses 12, each busway 14 having an aperture into which probes 41 are insertice able to provide electrical input connections, together with the covering doors 13 and 17. The control unit per se is comprised of substantially a back plate 36, a side plate 37 and a floor plate 38, electrical control com ponents being attached to one or more of these plates.

Attached to the rear plate 29 are a series of stacked, insulated blocks 19a, each having a plurality of clips 35a (3 clips being shown in each block). The clips 35a represent the output or controlled connections of the control unit. Attached to the top corner of the side plate 37 and the back plate 36 is a segmented plate 64 (see also FIGS. 3 and 4). The reference application shows a terminal block 25 carrying a plurality of conductive fingers 34 for cooperating connection with the clips 35 in the insulated block 19, the block 25 being mounted upon the right edge of back plate 36. In the present invention, however, and referring to FIGURE 3, a series of stacked terminal block-s 25a is attached to a hinged plate 62 fastened to the back plate 36 by bolts 61, the hinged plate 62 being pivoted at 62a and being controlled by an arm 63 also attached to plate 62. The arm 63 is arranged to swing with the hinged plate 62 thereby rotating the blocks 25a counterclockwise from the position shown in FIGURE 3 so that the fingers 34a engage clips 35a in the blocks 19a when the control unit is in operating position as shown in FIGURE 2. The arm 63 rides in a slot 66 formed in a bent over portion 65 of the segmented plate 64, having two notches B and C, respectively, which represent the non-engaged and engaged positions of the fingers 34a with the clips 35a. The cable 21a represents wiring leading from the clips 35a.

As a result of the above noted unique arrangement the control unit may be operated in the same manner as described in the reference application when the arm 63 is in a position corresponding to the notch C. On the other hand where it is desired to break connections with the control apparatus without removing the control unit from its compartment the simple expedient of moving arm 63 from its position at notch C to a position corresponding to notch B will suifice. It is not necessary that all of the blocks 25a be attached to the hinged plate 62, some of them being directly attached to the plate 29, as in the reference application. As a result various combinations of switching of the control connections may be obtained, some being controlled only by removal of the control unit per se and others being controlled as well by the switching arm 63 in the manner described above. When the control unit is removed from the compartment the arm 63 may be preset at either of the notched positions so that upon insertion of the control unit into its compartment certain predetermined control connections are made between the fingers 34a and the clips 35a resulting in still further flexibility of operation.

While the invention has been explained and described with the aid of particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereby and that many modifications retaining and utilizing the spirit thereof without departing essentially therefrom will occur to those skilled in the art in applying the invention to specific operating environments and conditions. It is therefore contemplated by the appended claim to cover all such modifications as fall Within the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

In an electrical control unit structure comprising a modular enclosure having receptacles for electrical con- References Cited by the Examiner nections thereto, an insertable control unit carrying UNITED STATES PATENTS electncal control apparatus, a plate plvoted to sald unit,

connectors attached to said plate and connected with said 2,120,103 6/1938 Lmde apparatus for engaging said receptacles upon insertion 5 3,188,415 6/1965 Netzel 200 50 of said unit into said enclosure, and means for pivotally ROBERT K SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner. moving said plate to disengage and re-engage said connectors with said receptacles independently of the With- KATHLEEN CLAFFY Examiner drawal and insertion of said unit to said enclosure. H. J. RICHMAN, Assistan Examiner. 

